Stephen Douglas McMichael, former American football player and professional wrestler, is famous by many nicknames, including “Mongo”, “Ming” and “Ming the Merciless”.
He spent 15 seasons as a defensive tackle in the NFL, primarily with the Chicago Bears. He originally entered the league after being drafted by the New England Patriots in 1980, following his college football tenure with the Texas Longhorns.
After retirement, McMichael maintained a significant presence in Chicago, appearing regularly on local sports radio and having a restaurant named after him in the southwest suburbs.
File
- Full name: Steven Douglas McMichael
- Date of birth: October 17, 1957
- Age: 67 years old
- male
- Place of birth: Houston, Texas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former professional football player, professional wrestler, sports commentator
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
- Parents: EV McMichael (stepfather)
- Siblings: John Richard McMichael, Kathy McMichael and Sharon McMichael
- Spouse: Misty McMichael (m. 2002), Debra Marshall (m. 1989–1998)
- Children: Macy Dale McMichael
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: 5 million USD
Early life and education
Steve McMichael is 67 years old and was born in Houston, Texas on October 17, 1957.
Before he was two, Steve McMichael’s parents separated and his mother married EV McMichael, an oil company executive whose last name he adopted. He has three siblings: John, Richard, Kathy and Sharon.
During high school, he participated in six sports, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis and golf. As a senior, he impressed as a catcher with a .450 batting average, attracting the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.
Personal life
In the field of personal life, Steve McMichael’s journey has gone through many ups and downs. He was married twice, with his first marriage to Debra Marshall lasting from 1985 to 1998.
The couple shared both happy and challenging moments before parting amicably. In 2002, McMichael married Misty, with whom he shared a deep love and friendship. Together they have a daughter, Macy Dale McMichael
Career
McMichael entered the NFL in 1980 when he was drafted by the New England Patriots from Texas. However, he was soon released before the second season. However, his career gained momentum when he was signed by the Chicago Bears as a free agent in 1981. Quickly establishing himself as a key defensive player, McMichael made valuable contributions. included in the Bears’ Super Bowl victory in 1985.
His tenure with the team saw him start 101 consecutive games until 1990, although his playing time gradually decreased in the years that followed. Notably, he led the Bears in sacks with 11½ in 1988 and amassed 108 tackles in 1989, which earned him selection to the NFC’s Pro Bowl team in 1986 and 1987.
McMichael’s legacy was further cemented in a pivotal game against the New York Jets in 1991. With the Bears leading 13–6 and with less than two minutes remaining, McMichael’s forced fumble and recovery set up a game-tying play by Jim Harbaugh. The Bears ultimately won in overtime, leading coach Mike Ditka to later praise McMichael as the toughest player he has ever coached.
Following his tenure with the Bears, McMichael played briefly for the Green Bay Packers in 1994 before retiring from professional football. Known by the nickname “Mongo”, he is also nicknamed “Ming the Merciless” or simply “Ming”.
Reflecting on his career, McMichael expressed gratitude for his time with the Bears, in contrast to his brief stint in New England. He emphasized the Bears’ focus on tenacity and performance rather than conforming to a particular image.
His sentiments were echoed in a 1984 interview with the Chicago Tribune, where he affirmed his pride in being associated with the Bears. Additionally, McMichael humorously recounted his final season with the Packers in 2019, highlighting his continued success against his former team, the Bears’ arch-rivals.
In August 2023, McMichael’s illustrious career was recognized when he was named a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Senior ballot for the class of 2024. This nomination marks the third time he has been considered, following previous nominations in 2014 and 2015. On February 8, 2024, McMichael’s legacy was cemented when he officially selected for induction into the esteemed Hall of Fame.
Moving from the wrestling field to the wrestling ring, McMichael made a memorable appearance at WrestleMania XI in 1995, supporting Lawrence Taylor in the ring during his match against Bam Bam Bigelow. In addition, he also created a wave of professional wrestling when he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1995.
Initially working as a color commentator, McMichael’s charismatic presence and enthusiastic support of fan-favorite wrestlers endeared him to audiences.
His involvement with WCW continued as he became embroiled in storylines, especially feuds with Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett. McMichael’s competitive spirit and big personality remained evident throughout his efforts despite his transition from football to wrestling.
Prize
- Super Bowl XX champion (1985) with the Chicago Bears
Net value
According to sources, Steve McMichael’s current net worth is around $5 million, an amount he has accumulated from his lucrative career.
Social Media
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- Twitter: Not applicable
